Samsung Pivots to Wider Foldable Design Ahead of Apple Entry
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
As the first foldable iPhone looms, Samsung is expanding its lineup with a new squat form factor to protect its market dominance.
Samsung is expected to introduce a new, shorter and wider foldable phone form factor at its upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event, according to reporting from The Verge. This move marks the second major shift in the company's foldable strategy in less than a year, following the release of the Galaxy Z TriFold.
While Samsung previously optimized its devices toward square inner screens and slim outer displays, the company is now embracing a wider design similar to those seen in the Huawei Pura X Max, the original Google Pixel Fold, and the Oppo Find N. The Verge notes that Samsung has teased this "new shape" via Unpacked invitations.
The strategic pivot comes as Apple prepares to enter the market. IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo said in a report cited by The Verge that the first foldable iPhone will be a turning point for the segment, predicting Apple could capture 34 percent of the foldable market by value in its first year.
Samsung has previously dominated the category through first-mover advantage, though The Verge reports that competitors have recently pushed the company to play catch-up regarding dustproofing and nearly creaseless displays. While Samsung recently released the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, the introduction of a wider model is seen as a way to ensure the company has a comparable device to the expected Apple hardware, which reports suggest will also be squat in design.